Posted by Nomad/OR on 7/27/08 10:30am
Msg #257131

Good GAWD People!! The power of POSITIVE thinking!!

You are what you eat, so also are you what you think!

"I can only afford to pay $90" Good for you, if that's what you want to accept - FINE

Try reading some Earnest Holmes or something, but get OUT of the pity party!!

I started out at $75 to $100 signings and found out pretty hard & pretty quick that THAT isn't going to fly. I'm now averaging between $125 to $200 with having recently deposited a check for $200!

Ever notice the complainers are always experiencing the bad things? Like attracts like, stop accepting low offers and complaining about it here. I only accept higher fees and you know what?!? MY BUSINESS IS GROWING!!! So get off of the pity party train!

....I feel better now.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 10:33am
Msg #257136

Re: Good GAWD People!! The power of POSITIVE thinking!! n/m

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 10:34am
Msg #257137

Whoops....and the power of negative thinking has the opposite effect.

Reply by MW/VA on 7/27/08 10:53am
Msg #257143

Thanks for the post. Just like the media, negative news causes a frenzy. Some of the postings on the board turn into "Jerry Springer Show"-like brawls. Sure, maybe business isn't what it was during the "bubble". Business is growing for me also. I stand firm on my fees & don't accept the low-ball stuff. I don't have the time to be bothered with that kind of thing.
Out here in the real world of signings, borrowers are very grateful for the fact that we come to them. In most cases, it's the only person-to-person contact they have in the whole transaction. In the general business world, business that thrive are the one's that provide good customer service. It's all about attitude--a good one will make you, a bad one will break you.

Reply by Les_CO on 7/27/08 11:16am
Msg #257150

I’m glad to hear the fees you are getting are going up, and your business is increasing. As for me, I’ve been in this business (Signing Agent) for a long time (Real Estate longer) A few years ago I was doing three signings a day, and sometimes as many as eight a day (However this was in a Title Companies office, for a couple of days EOM) I’m now lucky to get three a week, and that Title Company’s office is closed. My fees have actually gone down. Yes, my fault, but had to keep up with the competition. I use to charge $150, and many times this was for overnight, or I picked up the docs at Title (and closed there)
Now I get $125 for edocs, std refi, and have to fight for that. I applaud your optimism!
However I think there is a difference between optimism and delusion. If you think this business is ever going to be what it was, you are not optimistic, you are deluded. That is not to say your particular business may increase from what it was when you started, or that there other opportunities out there for those who seek them, or that this business will go away completely. There are, and it won’t. Not as long as there are Title Companies doing interstate business. It’s still less expensive to hire a NSA, than build a brick and mortar office.

Reply by MW/VA on 7/27/08 11:30am
Msg #257155

I agree 100%. Shift in supply/demand has increased competition. Fortunately, I wasn't caught up in the delusions (inflated home prices, unrealistic mortgages, big money for realtors, mortgage brokers, etc.) and high fees in the first place. I average 25-30 signings a month, and that was a realistic no. for me from the beginning. My business has shifted and I've been fortunate to be getting RM's that are replacing CW's. For now, it is balancing out nicely. It's all about the ability to adjust to changing markets (and they always will).

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/28/08 11:39pm
Msg #257417

Supply and demand makes a huge difference. If you're the only notary within 100 miles, you have a good chance of getting whatever fee you request, even though the volume may not be as high as in more populated areas. But when there are hundreds within a 20 mile radius, it's a bit tougher to hold that line.